Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly condemned the recent mass killings in Benue State, attributing the tragedy to leadership failure across all levels of government.
In a statement posted on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed deep sorrow over the attacks in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area, where suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed over 200 people, including women, children, displaced persons, and security personnel.
“My heart is heavy as I learn of yet another horrific series of killings in Benue,” Obi wrote.
“This tragedy has become too common in our national life and demands a national emergency.”
He described the scale of the violence as a reflection of systemic governance collapse, not just isolated acts of brutality.
“Homes have been burnt, families shattered, and entire communities left in ruin.
This is not merely violence—it is a failure of leadership, a stain on our collective conscience,” he added.
Obi criticized the inability of authorities to fulfill their core duty of protecting lives and property.
He warned that the increasing normalization of mass killings in Nigeria is unacceptable.
“Every life lost is precious and irreplaceable. We must not accept the normalization of mass murder. It is intolerable,” he said.
“When governments at all levels repeatedly fail, we must ask: what kind of nation are we creating for future generations?”
Obi extended his condolences to the people of Benue, saying their pain is shared by all Nigerians.
He urged authorities to go beyond symbolic gestures and take decisive action to protect vulnerable communities.
“To the people of Benue, I say: your pain is our pain.
The blood of your loved ones cries out for justice,” he said. “Let actions speak louder than statements or visits.
A safe, secure Benue is not too much to ask—it is a moral and national obligation.”
He concluded by calling for an end to the violence, saying the current state of insecurity does not reflect the Nigeria citizens deserve.
“We must end this bloodshed.
We must reclaim our humanity,” Obi stated.
The attacks, which began on Friday night and continued into Saturday morning, reportedly claimed the lives of at least 200 individuals, including five security operatives, according to a local leader, Matthew Mnyan.